TUI AG, the world’s largest tour operator, says it wants to integrate closer its German and British cruise operations, with an aim to become a leading operator in Europe.
“The goal is to expand TUI’s cruise activities so as to become a leading cruise operator in Europe in the foreseeable future,” the company said in a statement.
“The five ships of the Thomson Cruises fleet, operating in the British market, are to be completely modernised in the next few years. At the same time, Thomson Cruises is to cooperate more closely with TUI Cruises,” it said.
TUI Cruises, which TUI AG owns jointly with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) is to continue its strong growth. The second newbuild of the fleet, Mein Schiff 4, will be commissioned in June.
“It has been announced that Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten is expected to break even in the current financial year 2014/15. The Group expects to be able to operate Hapag-Lloyd at a very attractive earnings level in the long term, too. Contributing to this will be the acquisition of Europa 2 in January and the corresponding termination of the charter contract,” the company said.
